Here’s a quick look at the top 10 teams that will be highlighted in this week’s new Cal-Hi Sports State Top 20 rankings for boys and girls basketball.
Note: For more complete breakdowns on each top 10 team and for the next 10 teams plus more teams on the bubble, all of that info is for our Gold Club members only. We do have a three-month subscription going right now, however, that is just $9.99 and in addition to all of our rankings that also will include state record updates plus additional, exclusive Gold Club content. For details, CLICK HERE.
(After games of Saturday, Jan. 30)
(Previous ranking in parentheses)
(Ronnie Flores is our lead analyst for the boys; Harold Abend for the girls)
TOP 10 STATE BOYS
BASKETBALL TEAMS
1. (1) Chino Hills 22-0
After Saturday night’s big win over Bishop Montgomery, the Huskies have one more big game left before the playoffs and that will be this Saturday vs. Bishop Gorman of Las Vegas at Mater Dei’s Nike Extravaganza.
2. (2) Bishop Montgomery (Torrance) 21-1
There’s definitely no way the Knights drop behind anybody else following their loss to No. 1 Chino Hills, especially since they were leading the Huskies by eight points in the fourth quarter.
M.J. Cage dunks for Mater Dei during sophomore season. Photo: Martin Henderson/OCSidelines.com.
3. (3) Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) 19-3
After many of the fans left after the Chino Hills-Bishop Montgomery tilt at the Fairfax State Preview, the Trailblazers hit the court and rolled past Maranatha of Sierra Madre 69-52.
4. (4) Foothills Christian (El Cajon) 16-3
The Knights won three times last week and will enter this weekend’s showdown with No. 5 Mater Dei at the Nike Extravanza looking to continue to build on momentum after recent close loss to Chino Hills.
5. (5) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 20-3
M.J. Cage was in the lineup for two league wins last week and will be looked at to have a big game in matchup vs. Foothills Christian.
6. (6) Modesto Christian 20-1
There doesn’t look to be any huge obstacles in front of the Crusaders for the rest of the regular season.
7. (8) De La Salle (Concord) 18-1
Previous No. 7 Crespi fell in a league game to Harvard-Westlake, which enables the Spartans to move up one spot in this week’s rankings.
8. (10) Folsom 18-2
Yes, we know Folsom has a loss to No. 9 Redondo but the Bulldogs also have to get credit for having quality wins, one of which was against Modesto Christian.
9. (9) Redondo (Redondo Beach) 17-4
Loss to Inglewood in league play doesn’t hurt the Seahawks too much due to strength of schedule, other teams losing and having a win as well over the Sentinels.
10. (11) Westchester (Los Angeles) 18-5
The Comets continue to climb in the rankings, as they have won 10 consecutive games since a loss to Calabasas on December 28.
TOP 10 STATE GIRLS
BASKETBALL TEAMS
1. (1) St. Mary’s (Stockton) 19-0
Will the Rams get a test next week against No. 10 Bishop O’Dowd? The Dragons sure looked good in a big win last Saturday vs. Brookside Christian.
2. (2) Miramonte (Orinda) 20-0
It was a three-win week for the Matadors, who obviously have a path to the mythical national title if they were to beat St. Mary’s in the NorCal Open Division and end up undefeated themselves.
Mai-Loni Henson of La Jolla Country Day was nearly the D5 state player of the last season. Photo: Harold Abend.
3. (3) Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) 15-3
You know you have a good team if it isn’t even having close calls in the West Catholic Athletic League. That’s been the case so far in league games this season for the Monarchs.
4. (4) Long Beach Poly (Long Beach) 18-3
Danae Miller shined with 28 points as the Jackrabbits concluded a 3-0 week with a 68-54 win over state-ranked Alemany in a non-league matchup.
5. (5) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 21-2
Sarah Rahon buried three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to help the Monarchs rally from 10 points down in 50-47 win last Saturday vs. Fairmont Prep at Tony Matson Classic.
6. (6) Brea Olinda (Brea) 19-2
It was a big win for the Ladycats over state-ranked Windward in last Saturday’s Tony Matson Classic but there is no room for them to move up in the rankings.
7. (7) Chaminade (West Hills) 20-3
Upcoming matchup in the Mission League vs. Harvard-Westlake of North Hollywood could be very interesting.
8. (8) Mission Hills (San Marcos) 18-3
The Grizzlies will need to get past Bishop’s of La Jolla this weekend or they’ll drop in the state rankings and for the top ranking in San Diego.
9. (9) La Jolla Country Day (La Jolla) 17-4
This team stays second to Mission Hills within the San Diego Section and will be looking for Bishop’s to beat the Grizzlies in upcoming matchup.
10. (10) Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland) 16-4
Last year’s CIF D3 state champions trounced a Brookside Christian team last week that was fresh off an upset of Pinewood.
Mark Tennis is the co-founder and publisher of CalHiSports.com. He can be reached at markjtennis@gmail.com. Don’t forget to follow Mark on the Cal-Hi Sports Twitter handle: @CalHiSports
